Kaizer Chiefs of South Africa goalkeeper, Daniel Akpeyi will return from his ongoing battle against injury to start training under a new coach at the Premier Soccer League (PSL) side, as The Amakhosi have confirmed the appointment of Gavin Hunt as their latest tactician, megasportsarena.com gathered
Akpeyi is already in the final stage of his recuperation from the injury he copped with just two matches to the end of the past season and, as the new campaign looms large, his club’s egg heads have gone ahead to name Hunt as the man who will take them through the 2020/21 race and help them make up for letting go the title last time out despite once holding a massive lead.
A report by KickOff.com disclosed that Akpeyi will train under the former handler of Bidvest Wits, as Hunt is set to take over the Chiefs’ reins in a three-year deal, following the sack of Ernst Middendorp and his assistant, Shaun Bartlett over their failure to return the Absa Premiership title to Naturena.
The report adds: “Amakhosi were favourites to land the championship after leading the log standings for 28 consecutive rounds of fixtures, before surrendering the trophy to Mamelodi Sundowns in the final 30 minutes of the last fixture of the season.
“The move, which sees Hunt become the 10th coach at The Village in the PSL era, follows plenty of speculation that saw the Soweto giants being linked with several options including Adel Amrouche, Benni McCarthy and Stuart Baxter.
“Ultimately, however, an agreement was reached with the four-time league-winning tactician, for whom many Glamour Boys supporters have expressed backing throughout. The second-most-decorated tactician in the PSL left Wits following the club’s sale to Lawrence Mulaudzi, who is set to rename the franchise Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila and relocate it to Limpopo.
“Chiefs chairman Kaizer Motaung has explained the thinking behind the appointment of Gavin Hunt as the new first-team coach. KickOff.com earlier confirmed that a deal had been struck between Hunt and Chiefs, with the club having now formally announced his arrival on a three-year contract.
“Following plenty of speculation with the club having explored several options, Amakhosi fans can rest easy knowing that their preferred candidate is now at the wheel. More than anything, the 56-year-old tactician brings pedigree, experience and knowledge of the local landscape, which is ultimately what convinced Motaung that this is the right decision.”
Motaung expatiated in an official statement: “We looked at our situation and our needs before deciding on Gavin. He brings with him an abundance of experience, having coached about five teams in the Premiership, and there is success wherever he has coached.
“Given that the Covid-19 pandemic forced us to finish the season in the bio-bubble and that the squad will only rest for two weeks before the players return for pre-season, we needed a coach who understands the local market and conditions. We believe that with Hunt we have brought in a person with the right experience and energy to do just that.”
